[Detroitpete]

Ok guys--need your advice and or 2 bits worth here.

Last games I was in--2 weeks ago, I 'tweaked' my shoulder. Turns out it hasn't improved despite doing some elasti-band rehab exercises. I may have to get an MRI and really hoping its not a rotator cuff injury.

Anyway, I'm scheduled to compete again this weekend. Not only am I scheduled to compete, but I'm also our clan covenor for this event and will be setting up our tent and manning it when not at the games.

Here's my plan:

-Continue on the Dr. ordered motrin
-Test my arm before even trying to go full tilt with it
-If needed, throw stones, WFD and WOB left handed--I'm only a little shorter on my left hand throws then my right hand throws
-take it easy on the sheaf
-Rest the caber on my left shoulder instead of my right and take it easy there too.

I don't want to blow off my commitment to these games and I don't want to shread my shoulder. I also want these games to 'count' because the whole reason I came back this year was to make it to the Masters World Championships next year and I need to get five sanctioned games in.

After I make it to the championships--I'm not even sure if I'll continue. But hey--this is a strong addiction :-) When I was in the hospital and they were debating wheather I'd walk again, I put the championships in my 'bucket list'.

So what do you think? Is it cool to show up--do my best--take care to don't hurt anything more and live to fight another day?

[george7]

Surgery SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS!!! We will think nothing less of you if you don't throw, and I'm sure the rest of your friends and family would agree.

I had to forfeit playing bagpipes on St. Patrick's day. I had surgery the week before for a bagpipe related injury (hernia... played a 4 hour gig with a stiff reed. My machoness could handle it, but it was more than the tissues in my abdomen could handle).

Go to the event. If MUST you toss, go very easy on your arm.

[ccga3359]

I would suggest shoulder over games. These sorts of injuries can take months to heal and are easily re injured. Until test results are in refrain from doing anything strenuous with that shoulder, it can only make it worse, not better.

[Alan H]

If the goal is to just get in enough Games to qualify, then go throw one toss per event in Stones, WOB and WFD, with the other hand like you say.

Be SUPER careful with hammer. Go *super* light, don't torque with the shoulders at all, do "hula hoops", only two turns and if it goes 40 feet, then that's a mark, and you competed. You can even toss it one-handed, there's no rule that says you can't. I've seen someone do it for real, one handed. Heck, "grip it and rip it" one-handed with your good shoulder. Do it once, take whatever you get and go relax in the shade.

Caber, I'd pick and dump it, once. Maybe I'd pick it and take a couple of steps and ONLY pull with the legs, no arm effort at all. You'll get, like a 25 deg on it, but it doesn't matter. Hey, you picked it, you competed.... you got out there for one of your five required Games.

Sheaf..I don't know, since the *stop* of the sheaf is wicked force on the shoulders, both of them. I might go out there and do one 12 foot heave, super light and leave it at that.

Tell the AD what's going on, so he doesn't get weird on you. If you think your competitive spirit won't let you go half-gas, if that really bus you (it would bug me) then volunteer to work as a judge on this one, and just reschedule another Games for later in the season. By volunteering to work the tent, or as a judge or announcer or something, you keep involved, you didn't "bail" on the Games, the AD will love you for it, and you save the shoulder until that MRI gets done and you KNOW.

[Detroitpete]

Thanks guys! I'll talk to the AD and let him know what's going on. After that I think I'll just make sure I get a mark in each event, save the shoulder. I kind of see this as a challenge to my left-handed throwing skil. See if I can crank out some decent stones, WFD and WOB with my left hand.

This 'getting-older' thing isn't for the weak of heart :-) Best of luck to everyone throwing this weekend!

[Detroitpete]

OK--the weekend was GREAT and I came back with all my body parts in their correct place.

First time throwing WOB with my left hand--I went as high as I do with the right! LOL.

Pics to come.

[Alan H]

Great stuff....pretty funny, though, if you matched WOB with your "weak" hand! I bet that means you're doing it correctly, though. Most of the drive should come from your legs, anyway.